DO NOT CUT THE KICK PANEL! Vintage Air install on 1968 Firebird alternative line routing

If you are Installing a Vintage Air kit on a first generation Firebird part of that job is routing and fabricating the AC lines. If you dont want to cut up that kick panel to make it happen we shed some light and offer up some tips to get the job done. This is one step of a multipart series of adding air conditioning to a Firebird. Want to know more or see how it’s done don’t forget to subscribe and stay tuned!
Like what you see? Want to get your own Gotta save them birds goodies? Buy apparel here
Check out our KZbin store or this link my-store-cf6b8e.creator-sprin...
See More videos kzbin.info...
Questions, comments, or want to say hi?
Contact us at [e-mail]
#Pontiac #Firebird #restoration

[@burntclutches]

Dad jokes are a must lol - and the family has to hear them at least 3 times per joke LOLOL. Great vid and have a great weekend.

[@VinylVillageGarage]

Hey I never claimed to be a comedian…..🤣🤣. Thanks and have a great weekend as well

[@JK_Nex_Garage]

Really like the clean look and saving the kick panel. Excellent.👍

[@VinylVillageGarage]

I really hate the idea of cutting it up. I have yet to install any of the kits that way.

[@milwaukeemusclecarresurrec5995]

Keep them happily lil birds BACK on the road!! Ice cold firebirds!

[@VinylVillageGarage]

Yep it’s way to guarantee that anyone can be cool in a Firebird.

[@shaggyscarshop]

Great work. This was pretty slick. I like that you were able to save the kick panel. I hope mine goes together easy. looking forward to video on the controler install.

[@VinylVillageGarage]

I just can’t bring myself to cut up the kick panel, i have yet to do that on any car yet.

[@billiebrew2185]

Very clean installation Jon. All the hose talk , reminds me of an old saying “ up your nose with a rubber hose” Keep up the great work!

[@VinylVillageGarage]

Lol. Thanks buddy. Got a little more done today too

[@randyrhine9896]

Looks great! Even though it’s not the factory compressor painting it black may give it a factory look. Just an idea. Awesome job!

[@VinylVillageGarage]

That’s not a bad idea, I did paint all the accessories on my transmaroado all black and I did like the looks of it as well.

[@938283]

Looking good!

[@VinylVillageGarage]

Thank you! 😁

[@LakeAndLodgeGarage]

loving this 'mini series' Jon. This is super informative on the vintage air kit. You have sold me on it!

[@VinylVillageGarage]

Awesome, I think vintage air should give me a discount on the kit I need for my bird. 😎

[@GoGoGarage]

I haven't done mine yet, but I think it would be possible to use a different route to avoid cutting the kick panel. And yup, nice tool, thanks for sharing.

[@VinylVillageGarage]

I have yet to cut up a kick panel on a vintage air install, you definitely have a couple of options to get it done

[@davidbisnette7673]

Very clean install, very crafty also, excellent job , great how to video

[@VinylVillageGarage]

Got the heater controls done today. Again a little more mods as well

[@firstgenerationgarage2803]

I'm loving the A/C vídeos buddy one day I will be using them for my firebirds

[@VinylVillageGarage]

Right on, it will make the trip to Indy much Cooler when you do. 😎

[@Rick-O-Shay60]

Good job modifying your A\C lines Jon. That makes for a much cleaner install. The routing of those lines in the Vintage Air system is one of the factors in my decision to purchase the Classic Auto Air system rather than VA system for my '68. The CAA system has those evap hoses coming off the back of the evaporator & therefor all four lines (incl. heater hoses) exit in the same location on the firewall. Also the fact that the CAA system uses the factory firebird Astro ventilation ducts for outlet vent location. My factory heater box on the engine firewall is an aftermarket unit which is all chrome, it looks really nice. You have gave me the idea of incorporating that box when I'm ready to install the CAA A\C unit in my car perhaps modifying the Evap lines routed thru the bottom of the factory firewall box. Thanks for always sharing your tips, and all the great content on the first gen bird!

[@VinylVillageGarage]

That’s a great idea. I like custom touches and mods but very subtly done. Good luck on your mod I think it can work.

[@trishm27]

I’m loving this channel as well ! Do have a dumb dumb question: about the old blower location how is the ambient air (firewall) engine side sealed from the interior compartment ?

[@Rick-O-Shay60]

@@trishm27 Hi Trish, I'm not sure if your question was directed to me, or Jon. I'll give'r a go though. The A/C unit comes with a block off plate that screws in place to the firewall to block off the hole. Even though you can't really see it (as the fender hides it) I think it is a cheap solution they came up with to save money (made from plastic) I will use this block off plate, re-instal although fabricate the original box to keep it looking factory.

[@MrYz250fman]

Thanks for the video

[@VinylVillageGarage]

Very welcome! Thank

[@chuckeecheese162]

Clean job. 😎

[@VinylVillageGarage]

Thank you.

[@user-nq1if2qy8s]

After watching your piece on the windshield wiper motor I found that the idiot who put the 67 Bird together I bought had it in wrong.

[@VinylVillageGarage]

It happens unfortunately, good part is you now know what to do.

[@drewpackard6646]

Amazing sir 👍🏽

[@VinylVillageGarage]

Thanks 🙏

[@michaeljohnson404]

It’s looking good but don’t be surprised when you have trouble getting the AC charging machine hooked to where the red cap is. I had to drop the fenderwell to charge mine.

[@VinylVillageGarage]

That is a good point I will have to see how that goes.

[@whitneymckim9651]

Got Hosed 🤣

[@VinylVillageGarage]

😉🤷‍♂️😎

[@charlieseidelmann6702]

Looking good, Jon, but I do have a question about what you plan to do where the OEM blower motor used to be. Closing it off? Couldn’t you have taken the plate with the four holes in it and blocked off the hole? Not that it matters, perhaps, but cars that I have taken apart, a couple of times I’ve found four legged critters had built nests in the area of the heater box. Obviously you have the heater core panel sealed, but once you have the cowl panel in place, that blower motor opening is the only exterior access point. Keep up the great work.

[@Joe7166]

Not to mention water intrusion..That's why the blower motor was sealed to the box. The vent opening is in the cowl it also should be sealed for the same reasons.

[@VinylVillageGarage]

Water isn’t a factor getting in thru the blower motor hole but good point critters on the other had could be an issue. The sullied block of plate would fill the void with minimal mods. Might not be a bad idea just for that reason.

[@KittyBertandErnie]

Nice work!..Nice car!!... Im doing a 68 camaro tonight with a vintage generation 5 which looks same as yours.... I want to run hoses thru that same port it looks great and saves kick panel... and it looks like i can do without REMOVING FENDER, uugggh.... can i run all four hoses thru?... i was wondering why you put heater hoses across next tp motor..... Hope to see your reply and im about to start another one of your awesome videos.... P.S. of course I had to subscribe

[@VinylVillageGarage]

Yes you can ran all 4 house thru the Cowl. I did that on my Trans am build. The only reason on this build i put the heart hoses in factory location was to keep the firewall looking clean without permanent firewall modifications. The kit comes With a bolt in block off plate but it’s not most Appealing modification. Plus if the owner wants to return this car back to factory it would be easy enough.

[@rickblood8653]

What's the trick on getting the kick panels loose? All the screws are out but it seems to be stuck.

[@VinylVillageGarage]

The vent part on the kick panel hangs things up a bit. Start by pulling it loose from the door jamb lip first then go up to the firewall edge of kickpanel and start working the vent part loose next.

[@rickblood8653]

Thanks, we'll give it a try. Just don't want to break it!

[@wforty94]

Sorry if i missed it but where and how did you pass the 2 heater lines through the firewall?

[@VinylVillageGarage]

No worries. What I did was rerouted the vintage air heater core lines to pass thru the firewall in the factory locations. That way no mods to the firewall and look factory. I was able to install the blower motor housing back on the firewall. This was the video i did that Want to run factory looking firewall and heater hose location with Vintage Air kit? Cheap DIY mod kzbin.info/www/bejne/npjIgWWfm6dkjJo

[@wforty94]

@@VinylVillageGarage oh ok, very cool, thanks! My firewall is already smoothed so I can't do what you did in that video. Do you think I can fit 4 holes on the fresh air block off plate you routed your 2 AC hoses through in this video? then route all 4 hoses through it and into the car? thanks for your help!

[@VinylVillageGarage]

@wforty94 yes all four will fit thru. I did my 1969 convertible that way. I used the Detroit speed engineer firewall plate on that build.

[@wforty94]

@@VinylVillageGarage ok great, thanks for confirming. I think I'm going to do it that way. Is there a reason why you didn't do the same on this Firebird instead of doing the heater hoses through the firewall? thanks!

[@VinylVillageGarage]

@wforty94 the 1969 is highly modified so no need to keep it original or ever plan to put it back that way. The 1968 bird was a very original looking style restoration so I did them thru the firewall as normal. That way zero mods to the firewall and could easily be returned to stock

[@Joe7166]

Make you wonder why the #10 hose has to be so ridged...It's the low side and doesnt see the pressure of the more flexible #6 hose I believe V.A sells their 318000-VUR - E-Z Clip # 10 A/C Hose..More flexible for bends

[@VinylVillageGarage]

#10 hose is a bit much in my opinion but it came with the kit and already tight on the budget so it will work